382 PLINY'S NATTTBAL HISTORY. [Book XXI. 



CHAP. 99. (27.) POUR REMEDIES DERIVED FROM THE VINCA- 



PERVINCA. 



The vincapervinca, 20 too, or ehamaedaphne, 21 is dried and 

 pounded, and given to dropsical patients in water, in doses of 

 one spoonful ; a method or treatment which speedily draws off 

 the water. A decoction of it, in ashes, with a sprinkling of 

 wine, has the effect of drying tumours : the juice, too, is em- 

 ployed as a remedy for diseases of the ears. Applied to the 

 regions of the stomach, this plant is said to be remarkably 

 good for diarrhoea. 



CHAP. 100. THREE REMEDIES DERIVED FROM BUTCHER* S BROOM. 



A decoction of the root of butcher's broom 22 is recommended to 

 be taken every other day for calculus in the bladder, strangury, 

 and bloody urine. The root, however, should be taken up 

 one day, and boiled the next, the proportion of it being one 

 sextarius to two cyathi of wine. Some persons beat up the 

 root raw, and take it in water : it is generally considered, too, 

 that there is nothing in existence more beneficial to the male 

 organs than the young stalks of the plant, beaten up and used 

 with vinegar. 



CHAP. 101. TWO REMEDIES DERIVED FROM THE BATIS. 



The batis, 23 too, relaxes the bowels, and, beaten up raw, 

 it is employed topically for the gout. The people of Egypt 

 cultivate the acinos, 24 too, both as an article of food and for 

 making chaplets. This plant would be the same thing as 

 ocimum, were it not that the leaves and branches of it are 

 rougher, and that it has a powerful smell. It promotes the 

 catamenia, and acts as a diuretic. 



CHAP. 102. (28.) TWO REMEDIES DERIVED FROM THE COLOCASIA. 



The colocasia, 25 according to Glaucias, softens the acridity of 

 humours of the body, and is beneficial to the stomach. 



20 See c. 39 of this Book. 21 Ground-laurel." 



22 See c. 50, and B. xxiii. c. 83. The medicinal properties of this plant 

 are not developed to any great extent ; but it was thought till lately, Fee 

 says, to he an excellent diuretic. 23 See c. 49 andB. xxvi. c. 50. 



a4 The Thymus acinos of Linnaeus. 



25 See c. 51 of this Book. It is an alimentary plant, but eaten raw, it 

 is possessed of some acridity. 



